Karelian Maiden

We had a hail storm yesterday, but today it is warm again. I decided it it the time to get a hanging plant for my balcony.


Sampo is helping to hang it up.

Sampo: Is it about right now?


This type of Begonia is called "Karelian Maiden"

Sampo: The color is very pretty, but not yellow, so Eggie won't claim this one.



Sampo: One flower fell off, so you can see it up close.


I hope Sampo's thumbs are as green as his outfit so that my flowers will stay pretty and bloom well all summer.

Garden gnome trainees

The seven little Latis have graduated from Garden Gnome Trade School (they have all got garden gnome hats to prove it) and now they want a summer job as garden gnome trainees.

But first I had to get a nice graduation picture. You would not believe how hard it is to get seven little Latis into one picture. There was a lot of showing and pushing...


Algol: Rastaban! Don't push!

Fomalhaut: Eggie, keep that rake down...



Pilvi: Rastaban, put your head down, nobody can see my pretty face behind your cap!



Rastaban: Wait!!!!!!!!! I'm slipping down...



Rastaban: Is this better?



Pilvi: Keep your cap down!

Algol: Rastaban, leave my cap alone

Eggie: Do you think those two will ever settle down?




Outsider: OK, I give up. This is the final shot. Say Cheeeeeese!

Eggie: Cheese is yellow and everything that is yellow is mine!

Fomalhaut: Shut up and put that rake down!



Would you hire these seven to work in your garden???

Hobbit and green

It has rained on and off recently, and that has helped to finally turn everything green again. Today was a sunny day (though a bit windy), so Sampo wanted to go out and see how green the forest now is.



Sampo: Blueberries now have leaves - and buds, too!


Mountain ash.



Birch.



Closeup




Sampo: the swamp is no longer frozen. Now Deimos has to start fearing the swamp monster again...








A thoughtful little hobbit.





Sampo: Here is a good hollow under a tree root. I must recommend it as a summer residence for Niks and Naks.



Sampo: It's too low for me, I can't stand straight there.



Sampo: The hollow is under the root of a big pine.



Sampo: Here are some more pine roots.



Sampo: They are really crooked!


More swamp pictures.



Don't fall into the water!





Sampo: Here are some early dandelions in a sunny spot. Eggie would like these!



Sampo: This tree is totally dead.



Sampo: Fungi are growing all over it!